Growing up wild in the Johannesburg Zoo
In 2011 the zoo welcomed over 445 newborns (267 of
which were frogs). Some of the major births included
a Buff-Cheeked Gibbon, Hippopotamus, Arabian Oryx,
L'Hoest Monkey and Greater Flamingoes. While
watching these youngsters grow up is one of the
highlights for staff and a favourite attraction for
visitors, the birth of these species in captivity
actually is an important aspect of zoo life.
Towards the end of 2011, the zoo experienced a baby
boom with the hatching of Flamingo chicks and birth
of Red-tailed Guenon monkey, L'Hoest Monkey, Nyala,
Giraffe, Zebra and Arabian Oryx. A porcupine pup was
the last baby to be born on Old year's eve,
welcoming in 2012. Since January 2012 the good news
has continued with the birth of two Scimitar Horned
Oryx calves and a Waterbuck, Red Lechwe, Prevost's
Squirrel and a De Brazza monkey in February.
Many people are unaware why zoo's breed in captivity
and it may come as a surprise to find out some of
the reasons. Many zoos, including the Johannesburg
Zoo are involved in breeding endangered species;
however breeding of less threatened and common
species in captivity is an ongoing and important
practice. One reason for this is to maintain a
sustainable and healthy population of animal species
in captivity. This is so zoos do not have to obtain
animals from the wild and if a species is faced with
extinction in the future there is captive population
which will insure they are not lost forever.
In the Johannesburg zoo one such species is the
L'Hoest monkey which is native to the central
African region. In 2009 Princess and Damian, a pair
of L'Hoests came to the Johannesburg Zoo from an
animal sanctuary in Rwanda. Having this species in
captivity has become more necessary since their IUCN
status was changed from near threatened to
vulnerable in 2011. It may become necessary in the
near future to form a captive breeding programme as
the population is still declining in the wild and
currently the Johannesburg Zoo is the only known zoo
to house L'Hoest Monkeys in Africa. The good news is
that in December 2011 the L'Hoest pair gave birth to
their second baby. Princess and Damian's family may
one day become part of breeding efforts in captivity
and their offspring may be sent to zoos around the
world.
In addition to maintaining stable
populations, breeding in captivity has other
benefits including allowing animal to behave and
live as close to their wild counterparts as
possible. Youngsters bring stability and joy to both
animals and the humans that care for them. When
visiting the Johannesburg Zoo look out for baby
stickers on enclosure signs and watch these
youngsters as they grow up.
June 2012
Mandrill
Meet Bungha the Johannesburg Zoo�s hand reared
Mandrill. Bungha turned 7 weeks old on the 8th June, he
is still very playful and trying to eat solid foods
January 2012
Porcupine
February
De Brazza Monkey
Scitmitar Horned Oryx
